Chapter 87

[The goods have been safely delivered.]

The deal with the dwarves was successful.

There was no reason to refuse from the start.

In an instant, I was able to receive a massive amount of mana pills at home.

“Did you receive it well?”

Of course, it was Penny.

Since I had increased the bunker’s internal size, I’m sure she’ll put it away nicely in the storage room.

I also had snacks delivered along with it.

Meanwhile, the dwarves had taken action with the food they received from me.

[Title: Day 1 of Alcohol and Hardtack]

(GIF of monsters climbing over the castle walls)

(GIF of a dwarf pouring oil on the walls while drinking beer)

As long as there’s war, there’s nothing to fear!

– The title and content are strange.

Isn’t it usually the opposite?

– (This is weird… Knight Con)

– But has the rift burst already?

Oh no, it’s breaking faster than I thought!

(Writer) We struck first.

– ?

– As expected of dwarves. They actually did what we only imagined.

It was a strategy to strike before the monsters attacked.

Typically, it was usual to prepare defenses as much as possible before a monster invasion.

However, the dwarves threw spears and arrows to agitate the monsters.

Naturally, the reaction of the Gallums watching wasn’t great.

“No matter how belligerent they are, isn’t this a bit excessive?”

Monsters were tenacious and diverse in form.

They wouldn’t just stay motionless because they were injured like humans; they would charge until they were on the verge of death.

And as expected, the monsters soon washed over the walls of Kilgroth like a tide.

For a whole week, day and night.

– Shouldn’t we support them?

– If the dwarves fall, then it’s us next…

– I have nothing, but if they lack food, should I give them something?

Even in a prolonged battle, there were usually times to rest.

However, because the monsters kept crawling, there wasn’t even a moment’s rest.

The overwhelming sight started making the Gallums anxious as well.

The Dwarf Kingdom was truly the front line of the East.

If the dwarves fell, the humans and elves would naturally follow.

– Taldru) It’s fine, yeah.

– Do we look like weak little ear-heads?

– What’s important is food? No, it’s the candy!

But the dwarves looked fine.

In fact, they were finding enjoyment even during the war.

– Oh! Is that the hardtack candy that’s out?!

– (GIF of a dwarf cheering with hardtack candy)

– I’ll join the line. Just give me one!

– Line up!

– Elf.

– ?

– (I’ll kill you with my bare hands right here, Con)

– (Flattened Elf Con)

All a dwarf needs is one thing.

Alcohol.

Add in hardtack as a snack, and there was nothing they couldn’t handle.

– Sleep? You can die and sleep!

Give us all the alcohol and snacks!

– Seriously, they’re crazy about alcohol…

– Their bodies are 70% alcohol…

When thirsty, they drank beer.

When they felt a fierce hunger, they hastily stuffed bags of hardtack into their mouths.

At night, the changing guards would come and set the walls on fire with oil and flame.

And thus, a week passed.

[Title: Day 7 of Alcohol and Hardtack]

(GIF of monsters trying to climb the castle walls)

(GIF of dwarves enjoying beer and flattening monsters with hardtack)

As long as there’s war,

There’s nothing to fear!

– The smell of alcohol is wafting from the text.

– Why is this happening?

– Did they really only drink alcohol for a week?

(Writer) I’m not drunk!

– LOL, right?

(Fact) It’s because they didn’t have food and alcohol until now; dwarves love war by nature!

In the end, it was the monsters who grew tired first.

Living beings would collapse due to hunger, pain, and mental stress after just one day and night.

Dwarves weren’t particularly different.

But what differentiated today from the past was the presence of alcohol and food.

“I am the god of hammers!”

“It’s nice to get drunk every now and then!”

“Drunk? Who just said they were drunk?”

“Not me!”

Due to rebuilding the fallen walls and mining, the dwarves couldn’t drink for long.

Now they were granted the legal right to drink— for a whole week!

Furthermore, the Achilles’ heel of siege warfare was the supply of food, yet they had infinite alcohol and food within the castle.

It was truly a supreme cheat map.

Naturally, the hardtack the dwarves consumed also spread rumors.

– Is that the famous hardtack?

– Looks delicious, but it’s not sold in the marketplace.

– Wow, the hardtack candy looks super delicious, lol!

Other races wanted to try the peculiar hardtack, but no one could acquire it.

[Notice: Hardtack is not for sale]

(GIF of a thumbs-up with bare hands)

A contract has been made with the big-handed dwarf trustees.

Come back in three years.

[Recommended: 3212] [Not Recommended: 5232]

– No!!!!

– Just let me try one, just one!!!

– Haha, what will you do if I block you? What if I go directly to Kilgroth?

– Marketplace gourmet has fried their brain…

– (Gif of serious marketplace addiction)

Dwarves = Alcohol, Hardtack

Through this siege, a bizarre perception began to spread within the Gallery.

– Armin) Head of the Gallery

– Head of the Gallery*) Yes.

– Armin) Is it okay if we request food just for us elves?

Armin, the queen of the elves, approached me.

*

Once, elves were the center of the world.

Even when humans increased, no one could disregard elves.

– LOL, is this our elf?

– We were once the rulers of the world, you know?

– Not that long ago…

– Grandma, stop that talk, just eat something.

Of course, that was once true.

Not anymore, however.

Elves lacked the skills to refine, process, or create anything.

And were they good at farming? Not really.

They had maintained colonies for a long time, pillaging and extracting goods through half-threatened barter.

“Oh, this is a bit much.”

Short on food?

Sure, just go and raid.

Envious of dwarven refining skills?

Sure, just forcibly extract it.

They were basically just giant, ear-headed Vikings on the ground.

– We need to develop our own technical skills!

– How long can we continue with this method?

– We need to grow our own strength as a race!

Indeed, there were rational elves among them who sought the future…

– What are you saying? Just go raid!

– You guys are half-elves, right?

– No wonder I could smell human scent, let’s kick them out. ^^

When a rational elf appeared?

That was just sent away beyond the shadows.

As a result of raiding and expelling without distinguishing friend or foe…

It led to the current situation.

[Title: !Urgent! We need sugarcane!!

Author: The Best Elf

Or processed sugar is fine too.

Are there any Gallums for barter? ^^

[Recommended: 0] [Not Recommended: 3]

– LOL

– Serves you right.

– Who would barter with an ear-head? LOL

– The Best Elf) ㅡㅡ Dwarves are going away, we have no interest in that!

– LOL, you’re really clearing your debts, huh?

– LOL, for real, if you’re dancing with hands held, blushing and swaying while avoiding eye contact, I’d think about it. LOL

– You,

No one trades with elves.

In the end, as the important festival for elves, the Elf Festival was approaching, and they had reached a state where not even a single piece of sugar could be obtained.

– Head of the Gallery*) So you don’t have sugarcane?

“No matter how bad it is, it can’t be this bad!”

I thought it was unreasonable, but Armin attached two images instead of answering.

– Armin) (GIF of young elves being overhunted)

(GIF of fairies greedily plucking sugarcane, warmly watched by elder elves)

– Head of the Gallery*) Ah…

It was thanks to the comedic collaboration that transcended age.

As a result, the insides of Elard were in a frenzy over the number and value of sugarcane.

Yet, there was no race willing to engage in this transaction to bring in sugar from the outside.

“Why are they trying to hold the festival anyway? If it’s really that hard, can’t they just skip it?”

I found it puzzling.

If it’s really that difficult, can’t they just not do it?

I thought of festivals as optional rather than essential.

– Armin) The Elf Festival must be held at least once a year due to certain circumstances…

“Hmm.”

However, it wasn’t optional for the elves.

If they needed sugar for the festival, why would they come to me for help?

– Armin) I’ve seen the hardtack. You made an exclusive contract just for the dwarves.

– Head of the Gallery*) Yes, that’s right.

– Armin) Then could you make a dessert just for elves to use at the Elf Festival?

“Hmm.”

A dessert for the festival.

Even though we were at war, I pondered over whether to accept a dessert request from far away.

But reading Armin’s tone and the title of the Gallery elves…

– Please, sell me some sugarcane!!!

– Ah no, it must be made by that day!

– Heeeek, nonononono, please save me!!

– Elves are collectively scaring me, why are they like this?

– No, who’s threatening with a knife?

“It seems this relates to some survival issue for them?”

It didn’t seem like the elves were holding a festival or making a dessert just because they enjoyed it.

Rather, it felt like they were being pressured into it.

– Head of the Gallery*) Alright, I’ll make it.

– Armin) Really? Thank you!

– Armin) (Elfin queen pose)

“Well, it’s not difficult to make.”

Making = Clicking to buy at the shop.

Just browsing through the dessert category in the store reveals hundreds, thousands of varieties.

I recalled Armin’s request for something sweet and delicious.

“Something so sweet that it’d rot your teeth.”

Suddenly, something came to mind.

A dessert that even looks like it could give you cavities, a sugary delight.

[Macarons, 8 pieces] – 12p

It was macaron.

But before I could hand it over, I became curious as to why they were so desperate for a festival dessert.

Since Armin was a queen, I assumed she would know, so I asked.

– Head of the Gallery*) But why are you so desperate for a festival dessert?

“From the looks of it, it seems like someone is threatening them with a knife level.”

It was concerning to hear “I need to live” or “It must be made unconditionally.”

Could there be a threat to the elves? When I asked, Armin paused momentarily before responding.

– Armin) The elves won’t eat it.

– Head of the Gallery*) ? Then who will eat it?

– Armin) The World Tree will eat it…

“Ah.”

It immediately clicked.

*

The biggest festival among elves, the Elf Festival.

Also known as World Tree Day.

It’s a festival all elves equally drink and enjoy, but the reality was a bit different.

– slap

“Hi-eeek, h-here it is!”

– slap, slap

“I-I brought it too!”

Elves lined up before the World Tree, each holding desserts.

The World Tree, an essential being for the survival of the elves.

The World Tree took care of the elves with tenderness and sharing, yet what came back was neglect of pests and interference with survival.

Realizing that peaceful coexistence was impossible, the World Tree had a simple alternative.

– slap!

“Yikes!”

It would employ a bit of force.

– 137.7.32) (The World Tree is no longer holding back. Con)

– 137.7.32) (Bring more… no? Bring it all! Con)

– Uh, hi-eeek.

Thus, the day of the festival commenced.

The World Tree began to show interest in the macarons amid the dessert pile.

– 137.7.32) ?

At first, it was puzzled by the color and shape, but soon it realized this was the dessert from the Head of the Gallery.

The World Tree brought the macarons inside and placed them at its center.

It must have looked delicious just by appearance.

If so, it was too precious to just consume as a wooden body.

– 137.7.32) (The World Tree is contemplating)

– 137.7.32) (Don’t hesitate, World Tree! Con)

Ultimately, the World Tree released its long-standing seal and directly manifested its true form before the macarons.

The true form of the World Tree, which had manifested on the surface after hundreds of years.

The World Tree spoke for the first time in centuries with a dignified and majestic tone.

“How delicious.”